Nick Hatzistergos, the chairman of William Buck, has been appointed to the managing board of Praxity.

The appointment marks the first time that an Australian has served on Praxity’s managing board.

In a statement, Mr Hatzistergos said that serving on the managing board would give a voice to firms in the Asia-Pacific region, ensuring that the alliance continues to support and promote business activities in the area.

"I'm excited about what the appointment means not only for William Buck but for accounting firms and businesses in our region, particularly as the managing board has traditionally been comprised of European and North American representatives," he said.

"Through participation in Praxity’s many working groups, William Buck is also able to represent Australian businesses with significant influence on important issues such as the OECD’s BEPs package and new accounting standards under IFRS."

The Praxity alliance includes 64 firms from more than 103 countries. Member firms are chosen for their strength, size, leadership and strategic geographic relevance.

The managing board is responsible for leading the alliance’s strategic direction, managing its day-to-day activities and admitting new member firms.

"The nature of Praxity relies heavily on having a great team leading the way," said Praxity chairman Hilton Saven.

"Our board is made up of people who are in touch with what’s happening on the ground in local territories, but equally have a much wider view," he added.